After a strong start, and despite losing wickets in quick succession in the middle, the Kings staged a remarkable recovery to reach a total of 200\/8. The lower order took the attack to the opposition, ensuring the side was right in the contest until the very last over. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
While Mumbai Indians managed to chase the target with just one ball to spare, the depth shown by the Kings' batting unit remains a key positive heading into the final two league games.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite a narrow result that didn't go their way\u2014marking the side's fifth consecutive loss\u2014the team remains in a competitive position, currently sitting in fourth place with 13 points as the race for the playoffs intensifies. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe one thing to come out of it is we\u2019ve got two games of cricket left and our destiny is still in our hands. Now there\u2019s no tomorrow; there\u2019s no talking about anything else. We have to win our remaining games now, and that\u2019s as simple as it is. We\u2019ll assess this quickly and get our heads around playing a day game here in a couple of days' time,\" Haddin said in a post-match presser.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He also highlighted the team\u2019s ability to post a high total and credited the opposition for a standout individual performance. \u201cI thought we did really well to get to the total we did. Mumbai bowled well early, but we had some really good hitting in the back end of the game to get us to what we thought was a really good total. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"We felt like we were in control for a long time, but it took a pretty special knock from Tilak (Varma) to get Mumbai home. That was a special innings and you have to give credit to that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Haddin spoke candidly about the atmosphere in the camp and the pressure that comes with the business end of the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"The whole tournament is pressure the whole time, and especially at this stage, this is what IPL cricket is about. You\u2019ve got to be able to handle the big moments and handle the pressure. The result is hurting and the change room is hurting in there, but there are good signs out of tonight\u2019s match. It\u2019s important now that we respond well.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Discussing the tactical side of the game, Haddin expressed and noted how much the scoring standards have shifted this season. \"We\u2019ve got a lot of confidence in every player in our squad. What you do see in this tournament now is some unbelievable power\u2014it\u2019s different to what we\u2019re used to. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"The whole tournament is pressure the whole time, and especially at this stage, this is what IPL cricket is about. You\u2019ve got to be able to handle the big moments and handle the pressure. The result is hurting and the change room is hurting in there, but there are good signs out of tonight\u2019s match. It\u2019s important now that we respond well.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Punjab Kings will conclude their home leg at the HPCA Cricket Stadium, Dharamshala, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 17.<\/p>\r\n\r\n